Herbal Remedies for Narcolepsy

21 Jun

Posted by Dr John Anne as Uncategorized

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder associated with uncontrollable sleepiness and frequent daytime sleeping. Narcolepsy is characterized by episodes of frequent, uncontrollable daytime sleeping, usually preceded by drowsiness. The episodes usually occur after meals, but sudden onset of sleep may occur while working or driving a vehicle, having a conversation, or being in any sedentary or nonstimulating situation.

The effect of narcolepsy can be devastating. Studies have shown that even treated narcoleptic patients are often markedly psychosocially impaired in the area of work, leisure, interpersonal relations, and are more prone to accidents. These effects are even more severe than the well-documented effects of epilepsy.

Treatment and Help:

The condition usually starts in adolescents or in young adults. There may be a family history of the problem. Although there is presently no cure, the condition is treated with antidepressant drugs and stimulants that help keep the brain awake.Narcoleptics are also advised to maintain a regular sleep pattern and take daytime naps. They should try and get sufficient rest and keep to a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol and stimulants that may affect their normal night’s sleep. The condition should be properly diagnosed and care taken with daily activities that could put the sufferer in danger during an attack.

Symptoms of Narcolepsy:

The main symptoms of narcolepsy are excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks and abnormal Rem sleep. Since the 1960s it has been known that several of the disabling symptoms of narcolepsy, such as sleep paralysis and hallucinations, are pathological equivalents of Rem sleep.

A person with narcolepsy can suddenly fall into a deep sleep state with little or no warning. These attacks can happen at any time, last anywhere between a few minutes to an hour and can occur frequently (10 sleep attacks a day is not unheard of).
In sleep paralysis, a frightening symptom considered to be an abnormal episode of Rem sleep, the patient suddenly finds himself unable to move for a few minutes, most often upon falling asleep or waking up. Patients can experience dream-like hallucinations, while dozing or falling asleep.

Herbal Remedies for Sleep Disorders:

Mellodyn - a natural supplement that helps you fall asleep fast and stay asleep through the night by working with your body’s own sleep-wake cycles to achieve natural sleep patterns.

Passionflower - calming and sleep inducing, relieves pain, and muscular spasms. It is useful for the treatment of general insomnia, insomnia in asthmatics, hysteria, cramps, and nerve pain.

Chamomile - promotes well-being. It’s good for the digestion, is relaxing and generally soothing. A cup of chamomile tea before bedtime is an excellent way to encourage sleep If you have a history of allergies, however, especially to plants such as ragweed, you shouldn’t use chamomile.

The clinical diagnosis of narcolepsy requires the presence of EDS accompanied by cataplexy. A laboratory test called a polysomnogam (PSG) at an overnight sleep disorders center can confirm the presence of EDS as well as other symptoms of pathological Rem behavior.This is typically followed by a Multiple Sleep Latency Test to measure sleep onset and the presence of Rem sleep. Normal people experience an initial sleep period of up to 90 minutes preceding Rem sleep. People with narcolepsy experience Rem sleep almost immediately sometimes even prior to the closing down of awareness. It is this circumstance that causes the vivid hallucinations that are a symptom of this disabling disorder